Warriors&rsquo; Path State Park Announces April 23 Event Celebrating the Grand Opening of New Amphitheater

Friday, April 20, 2012 | 12:45pm

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Tennessee State Parks will join the Friends of Warriors’ Path State Park and other special guests on Monday, April 23, for the grand opening of the Palmer Center Foundation Amphitheater – the newest addition to the Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground, which is part of Warriors’ Path State Park. The event also will commemorate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th anniversary.

The Palmer Center Foundation Amphitheater is the final phase of the all-accessible playground complex, which serves as the only one of its kind in the U.S.

Media are invited to attend the grand opening event, which will include brief remarks followed by music and light refreshments: Details are as follows:

WHO:

Mayor of Kingsport Dennis Phillips

Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill

Mayor of Kingsport Dennis Phillips

Betty DeVinney, president of the Friends of Warriors’ Path State Park

Mary Steadman, Friends of Warriors’ Path State Park

Dr. Linda Story, the Palmer Center Foundation Board of Directors

Local community members and elected officials

WHAT:

Grand opening of the Palmer Center Foundation Amphitheater, the newest addition to the

Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided.

WHEN:

Monday, April 23, at 11 a.m. (Eastern)

WHERE:

Warriors’ Path State Park

490 Hemlock Road, Kingsport, Tenn. 37663

Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground is a place where children of all abilities can learn and play together. The Boundless Playground opened at Warriors' Path in April 2007, and is made possible through public-private partnerships. Warriors' Path is the first state park in the nation to provide a Boundless Playground for visitors. The playground is supported by the Friends of Warriors’ Path, an organization that fosters conservation and educational efforts, while assisting the park in its efforts to better preserve and protect its existing facilities and resources.

The Tennessee State Parks system was established through legislation in 1937, and those laws – with modifications and additions over the years – remain the framework for park operations today. As in most states, Tennessee began in cooperation with federal programs that instigated individual parks. Later, Depression era recovery programs gave a boost to the idea and the possibility of creating parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration worked on land conservation, but also delved further into the actual planning and construction of what would become the first of 53 Tennessee State Parks.

Warriors’ Path State Park sits on 950 acres and was named for the park’s proximity to the ancient war and trading path used by the Cherokee. The park is situated on the shores of TVA’s Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River. It features camping, hiking, fishing, golf, boating, biking, swimming, picnic facilities and horseback riding. For more information about Warriors’ Path and Tennessee State Parks, please visit www.tnstateparks.com.

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Editor's Note: Please also remember that the Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground will be closed from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, for “A Day of Service” at Warriors’ Path State Park – a volunteer effort organized by the Friends of Warriors’ Path State Park and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.